The Board appreciates the diligent contributions of time and energy of the Board members. Board members met in person to distribute funding to charitable registered groups operating in BC or developing countries. VanCity sends the e-transfers of funds and writes charitable tax receipts promptly for the R. R. Smith Memorial Foundation and the three Friends of Vancouver RTA, Friends of Abbotsford RTA and Friends of Northshore RTA groups.
The Board ensures all donations and the yearly contribution from members is spent wisely, for transparency in the granting of funds. Our funding is now $5 per member, donated once a year. Further donations receive a charitable receipt promptly from Vancity/R. R. Smith fund.
This year grants totaled over $79,000 which enables registered charitable groups operating in BC and in developing countries with their diverse programs. The list of recipients is published in the PostScript. This amount is significantly higher than last year due to increased contribution through a large bequest from a Vancouver retired teacher.
Thanks to treasurer Jim Reid for keeping our charitable status up to date with the government.
We continue to receive letters of appreciation from recipients from university students who benefit from the R. R. Smith bursaries administered through six universities, including UBC, SFU, UNBC, University of Victoria, Vancouver Island University and Thompson Rivers University.
The R. R. Smith Board focuses on our charitable work under our criteria/application model as the bursaries were set up through a different source of funding after a strike action. Students apply directly to the universities, and the funds, through careful management, continue to grow.
Huge thanks to each of the members of our Board for sharing their skills: Kerry Babiuk, Steve Bailey, Dave Carter, Gail Chaddock-Costello, Laurence Greeff, Sarah Joyce, Barb Mikulec, Jim Reid and our BCRTA representatives Tom Hastie and Laurence Greeff. We appreciate Vince Dimanno’s skill updating the R, R, Smith website. Special thanks to Kristi and Laurie at the BCRTA office.
Barb Mikulec
President
